Oral Hygiene :: We Care About Our Clients ::

GOOD ORAL HYGIENE TODAY

You know, there's nothing like the fresh, clean feeling in your mouth after you brush to make you feel good. But brushing your teeth does much more for you than help keep your smile bright and your breath fresh.

The reason we brush our teeth is to remove plaque, a colorless, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. Plaque is one of the main causes of tooth decay and gum disease.

So making a habit of practicing good oral hygiene can really pay off – but in more ways than you might first think. You are not only keeping your teeth and gums in good shape, you're also contributing to your overall health and well-being.

How does plaque harm my teeth and gums?
The bacteria in plaque react with foods we eat to produce acids that attack and weaken tooth enamel (the hard, protective covering on our teeth), opening the way for cavities to develop. Plaque can also irritate the gums, leading to gum disease, which, in its early stage is called gingivitis.

What can I do to avoid cavities and gum disease?
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is simple if you get into the habit of cleaning them properly everyday and visiting your dentist regularly.

Brush thoroughly twice a day preferably in the morning and before bed. Every time you brush, you remove the plaque that is constantly forming on your teeth.

Use toothpaste that contains fluoride.

How do I know that I am brushing my teeth properly?
Proper brushing is the first step to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. It takes at least two minutes using a recommended technique to do a good job of brushing your teeth. You should spend 30 seconds brushing each section of your mouth (upper right and left, lower right and left).

Brushing up on brushing:
There are many ways to brush your teeth. Here is one frequently recommended method:

For the outer tooth surfaces, place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline.
Use gentle, short stokes, moving the brush back and forth against the teeth and gums.
Use this same motion to clean the chewing and inner tooth surfaces.
To clean the inner front tooth surfaces, hold the brush upright and use gentle up-and-down strokes with the tip of the brush.
Don't forget to brush along the gumline, and make sure you reach those teeth right at the back.
And while you're at it, give your tongue a brushing-it'll help keep your breath fresh!

Replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles begin to look worn out. Studies have shown that a new toothbrush removes up to 30% more plaque than one that's three month old – which is good news for your teeth and gums.

Is brushing twice a day enough?
Brushing is important, but it's only part of the program.

It is important to clean in between your teeth daily-to get to areas beyond the reach of your toothbrush. Did you know if you don't floss, you're leaving as much as 40% of your tooth surfaces untouched and uncleaned. So brushing and interdental cleaning are both key to helping maintain healthy teeth and gums throughout your life.

How should I be cleaning in between my teeth?
There are many different ways to clean in between your teeth for example, flossing:

Take about 50 cm of floss and loosely wrap most of it around each middle finger, wrapping more around one finger than the other leaving 5 cm of floss in between.
With your thumbs and index fingers holding the floss taut, gently slide it down between your teeth, while being careful not to snap it down on your gums.
Curve the floss around each tooth in a “C” shape and gently move it up and down the sides of each tooth, including under the gumline. Unroll a new section of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.

Keep sweets and sugary foods to a minimum. Instead, choose sugar-free foods for snacks. Good choice includes vegetables, fresh fruits, bread and plain popcorn.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Cut down on carbonated soft drinks. Many contains acids that can damage tooth enamel.
If you can't brush right after eating, a piece of sugar free chewing gum is a good substitute. That's because chewing gum increases your saliva, which is the mouth's built in defense system against the development of harmful plaque.

What gets checked at a checkup?
While checkups can vary, your dentist will most likely examine your teeth and gums, taking x-rays to make sure they are healthy. Your dentist may also professionally clean your teeth to remove hardened plaque (tartar) from tooth surfaces and below the gumlines. You should plan on seeing your dentist twice a year for checkups. And don't forget: your dentist can also provide expert instruction on brushing and flossing.

Healthy teeth and gums – for life!
As you can seem it's not difficult to have healthy teeth and gums. All it takes are regular visits to the dentist, a good oral care routine that includes brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and cleaning between teeth every day. When you follow these simple steps, you'll not only feel good, you'll look good, too. Now that something to smile about!